Updates – Page 9 – UNITE HERE 2

Housing is Key program offers partial debt relief on rent and utility bills

March 18, 2021

California’s Housing is Key program helps renters who can’t make rent and utility payments– eligible renters may apply and receive 25% of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Eligible renters may also receive assistance for unpaid utilities and future payments. Unpaid utilities accumulated from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 will be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months.

If one or more individuals in your household meet all of the following, you are eligible to apply:

Have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due to COVID–19; and
Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability, which may include:
- a past-due utility or rent notice or eviction notice;
- unsafe or unhealthy living conditions; or
- any other evidence of such risk, as determined by the program
Have a household income that is not more than 80% of the Area Median Income: for more details, click here then scroll down to your county’s list, beginning on page 5.

Applicants will not be asked about their citizenship, nor will they be required to show proof of citizenship.

To learn more about the program or to apply, click here.

President Biden signs new bailout law

March 12, 2021

This week President Biden signed a bailout law that brings some important short-term help to many working people. Thanks to the Local 2 members who sent a message to Congress asking them to pass this bill. But we have much more work to do to fix our economy – especially health care. Click here for action you can take today to make a big difference in California.

Here’s some of what is in the new law:

Money for working people

Up to $1400 for most Local 2 members (depending on your income). This money will be sent out much like the “stimulus checks” last year.
Help for unemployed people. Anyone who is receiving unemployment benefits will receive a $300 per week benefit from the federal government, up until September 6.
Money for people with children. Taxpayers with children under 18 years old will get $3000 ($3600 for children under 6). This money will be paid out in pieces during the year.

Short term help with health care

Free COBRA health coverage through September. If you got health benefits by working before you were laid off, the federal government will pay for your family’s COBRA (continued coverage) through September 2021. Local 2’s health funds will send out a notice soon explaining how to take advantage of this — if you turned down COBRA when benefits expired, you will be able to re-enroll. Please look out for this notice in the mail.
Extra help buying plans on Covered California. The bill will make it cheaper for most laid-off people to buy health plans on Covered California — though these plans will still be expensive for many. This federal subsidy will last through 2022.

Other important changes

More money for housing assistance. The bill will give out more money to community groups to help people who don’t have housing or who are at risk of being evicted.
Help for cities & counties. The public services we depend on — for schools, safety, and public health — are under threat because local governments are getting less tax revenue. The new bill helps protect our services.

Take action on healthcare now

March 5, 2021

Haga clic aquí para Español

The COVID crisis is hitting hospitality workers hard. Hundreds of thousands of families have lost their health plan at the very worst time – in the middle of a pandemic. This should convince our country’s leaders that health care in America is broken. It’s time to change it.

Right now, we have two opportunities to make a difference – one is a short-term fix that will give laid-off workers a few months more on their regular health plan. The other is a long-term solution to transform our broken system.

1. A short-term fix – tell Congress to pass President Biden’s rescue plan

President Biden’s plan would help laid-off workers get health coverage – including paying COBRA premiums (letting people get back on their old health plans for several months). Send a message to Congress telling them to pass this rescue plan. Click here.

2. A long-term solution – create a universal healthcare system for California

California can create a health system to cover everyone, like Medicare covers retirees. This “Medicare for All” would mean no one loses their doctor just because they lose their job, or because they can’t afford insurance. Governor Gavin Newsom promised to start building such a program – now is the time for him to follow through on that promise. Send a message to Governor Newsom. Click here.

La crisis de COVID está afectando duramente a los trabajadores de la hostelería. Cientos de miles de familias están perdiendo beneficios de salud justo cuando más los necesitan: en medio de una pandemia. Esto debería convencer a los líderes de nuestro país de que la atención médica en Estados Unidos no funciona. Es hora de cambiarlo.

En este momento, tenemos dos oportunidades para marcar la diferencia: una es una solución a corto plazo que les dará a los trabajadores despedidos unos meses más en su plan de salud regular. La otra es una solución a largo plazo para transformar nuestro sistema roto.

1. Una solución a corto plazo- dígale al Congreso que apruebe el plan de rescate del presidente Biden

El plan del presidente Biden ayudaría a los trabajadores despedidos a obtener cobertura médica, incluido el pago de las primas de COBRA (permitir que las personas recuperen sus planes de salud anteriores durante varios meses). Envíe un mensaje al Congreso diciéndoles que aprueben este plan de rescate. Haga clic aquí.

2. Una solución a largo plazo- cree un sistema de salud universal para California

California puede crear un sistema de salud que cubra a todos, como Medicare cubre a los jubilados. Este “Medicare para todos” significaría que nadie pierde a su médico solo porque pierden su trabajo o porque no pueden pagar un seguro. El gobernador Gavin Newsom prometió comenzar a construir un programa de este tipo; ahora es el momento de cumplir esa promesa. Envíe un mensaje al gobernador Newsom. Haga clic aquí.

All day vote – March 17

March 2, 2021

Haga clic aquí para Español 点击这里查看广东话

On Wednesday, March 17^th (Happy St. Patrick’s Day!), Local 2 will conduct an All-Day, secret-ballot vote regarding a proposed change to the Local 2 By-Laws.

The vote will take place from 7 AM to 7 PM at the Local 2 San Francisco office (209 Golden Gate Ave.) with social-distancing protocols in place. Remember to wear you mask! To vote on the proposed By-Law, you must be a “member in good standing”, meaning that you have paid Union dues in January, or February, or March of 2021.

The text of the proposed By-Law change is:

For the purpose of determining eligibility to participate in Local 2’s internal governance in 2021, whether by attending and participating in membership meetings, voting, nominating candidates for office, being nominated and running for office, and/or serving on the election committee, a member shall be deemed to be a member in good standing during any month beginning with March 2020 when the member was on withdrawal status because the member was laid off or furloughed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and did not work in a Local 2 shop.

If the proposed By-Law change is approved, thousands of long-time Local 2 members – laid-off since March of 2020 – will be able to attend Local 2 membership meetings and vote on important Local 2 Union business for the remainder of 2021. This will include being able to vote in the Local 2 Union leadership elections in May of 2021. This proposed By-Law change, if adopted, will expire at the end of 2021. If the proposed By-Law change is defeated, the only members who can make decisions for the Union are those members who remain “members in good standing” and are currently paying dues.

El miércoles, 17 de marzo (¡Feliz Día de San Patricio!), el Local 2 realizará la votación de todo el día por voto secreto sobre una propuesta para modificar los Estatutos del Local 2.

La votación se llevará a cabo de las 7 AM a las 7 PM en la oficina del Local 2 en San Francisco (209 Golden Gate Ave.) practicando todos los protocolos de distanciamiento social. ¡No se le olvide llevar mascarilla! Para votar sobre la propuesta de modificación de Estatutos, debe ser miembro “activo”, es decir, debe haber pagado las cuotas de Unión en enero, o febrero, o marzo de 2021.

Lo siguiente es el texto de la modificación de los Estatutos que se propone:

Con el objetivo de determinar si reúne los requisitos para participar en la gobernanza interna del Local 2 en el año 2021, ya sea por medio de asistir y participar en las reuniones de los miembros, votación, nominación de candidatos, ser nominado como candidato, o participar en el comité de elecciones, un miembro debe considerarse miembro activo durante cualquier mes a partir de marzo de 2020 cuando el miembro estaba de baja debido a despido/descanso/cesantía/lay-off por la pandemia del Covid-19 y no trabajó en una compañía del Local 2.

Si es aprobada la modificación de los Estatutos, miles de miembros del Local 2 desde hace mucho tiempo – que están sin trabajo desde Marzo de 2020 – podrán asistir a las reuniones de los miembros del Local 2 y votar sobre las cuestiones importantes de la Unión Local 2 durante el resto del año 2021. Incluso podrán votar en las elecciones de los líderes de la Unión Local 2 en mayo de 2021. La propuesta de modificación de los Estatutos, si es aprobada, caducará al final de 2021. En caso de que no se apruebe la modificación de los Estatutos, los únicos miembros que podrán tomar las decisiones para la Unión son los miembros que siguen siendo “miembros activos” y que actualmente están pagando las cuotas.

在3月17日星期三（聖帕德里節快樂！），二號工會將舉行一個有關二號工會章程改變建議的全天的，不記名投票。

投票將於上午7時至下午7時在三藩市二號工會辦公室（209 Golden Gate Ave.）舉行，並將實行社交距離。請記住戴口罩！要對建議章程投票，你必須是一名「良好的會員」，意指你在2021年一月，或二月，或三月有付工會費。

建議章程改變文本如下：

就決定在2021年參與二號工會內部管治資格目的而言，不論是出席或參與會員會議、投票、提名幹事候選人，被提名或競選幹事，及／或服務選舉委員會，從2020年3月開始的任何月份，由於該會員因Covid-19大流行而被裁員或放無薪假並且不在Local 2代表的公司工作時，該成員處於暫停會籍的狀態，則該會員應被視為信譽良好的成員。

如通過改變章程建議，數以千計的二號工會會員 – 自2020年3月以來被裁員者 – 將可在2021年餘下日子參加二號工會會員會議和投票決定重要二號工會的事務。這將包括在2021年5月舉行的領導層選舉。如果獲得通過此提議，該修改的章程將在2021年結束時期滿。如改變章程建議不獲通過，可以為工會做決定的會員是那些「保持良好資格」和目前有付工會費的會員。

Temporary Hotel Districts – February 2021

February 8, 2021

Tony Semasko Ext 750

Caza

Fairmont Heritage FW

Omni

Parc 55

Park Central

Riu Plaza

“W” Hotel

Rafael Leiva Ext 725

Grand Hyatt

St. Francis

Aloft SFO

Crowne Plaza Burlingame*

Grand Hyatt SFO

Grosvenor Hotel

Holiday Inn Express SFO

Hyatt Regency Burlingame

Lighthouse Hotel

Westin SFO*

* – no housekeeping

Lizzy Tapia Ext 723

Hilton

Ruthe Offill Ext 755

Marriott (4^th St.)

St. Regis

Buchanan

Carlton

Cartwright

Chancellor

Comfort Inn

Courtyard Marriott FW

Hampton

Handlery

Hotel G

Hotel Via

(Hyatt Place)

Laurel Inn

(Loew’s Hotel)

The Marker

Pickwick

Spero

Triton

Virgin

Whitcomb

Zephyr

Motels

– Royal Pacific

– Seal Rock

– Travelodge by the Bay

– Wharf Inn

Oxford Hotels

– Americania

– Carriage Inn

– The Good Hotel

Personality Hotels

– Diva

– Kensington Park

– Union Square Hotel

Josephine Rivera Ext 712

BEI Hotel

Clift

Holiday Inn Express FW

Holiday Inn FW

Huntington

Kabuki

Mark Hopkins

Marriott FW

Marriott Pulse

Marriott Union Square

Palace

Sir Francis Drake

Stanford Court

Vitale

Jose Lee Ext. 705

Courtyard Marriott 2^nd St.

Fairmont

Four Seasons

Hilton Financial District

Holiday Inn Golden Gateway

Hyatt Regency

Intercontinental

Rally to Defend Democracy!

November 5, 2020

Working people are rising up to make sure that we count every vote – we won’t let Trump steal this election!

Join UNITE HERE Local 2 and other Bay Area unions on Saturday at noon at Harry Bridges Plaza (Embarcadero and Market St.) in San Francisco. It’s time to defeat Trump and defend democracy. Click here to RSVP.

#TakeBack2020 #CountEveryVote

Local 2 Election Endorsements: San Francisco

October 3, 2020

For San Mateo endorsements, click here.

PRESIDENTIAL: Joe Biden & Kamala Harris

CONGRESS: Nancy Pelosi

STATE SENATE

District 11: Jackie Fielder

District 13: Josh Becker

STATE ASSEMBLY

District 17: David Chiu

District 19: Phil Ting

SUPERVISORS

District 1: Connie Chan

District 3: Aaron Peskin

District 5: Dean Preston

District 7: Vilaska Nguyen or Myrna Melgar (dual endorsement, rank either as 1^st and 2^nd choice)

District 9: Hillary Ronen

District 11: Ahsha Safai

STATEWIDE PROPOSITIONS

Proposition 15 (Increases Funding for Public Schools, Community Colleges, and Local Government Services by Changing Tax Assessment of Commercial and Industrial Property): YES

Proposition 16 (Authorizes California Repeal Proposition 209 Affirmative Action Amendment): YES

Proposition 17 (Authorizes California Voting Rights Restoration for Persons on Parole Amendment): YES

Proposition 18 (California Voting for 17-Year-Olds Amendment): YES

Proposition 19 (Property Tax Transfers, Exemptions, and Revenue for Wildfire Agencies and Counties Amendment): YES

Proposition 22 (Changes Employment Classification Rules for App-based Transportation and Delivery Drivers): NO

Proposition 23 (Authorizes State Regulation of Kidney Dialysis Clinics. Establishes Minimum Staffing and Other Requirements): YES

Proposition 25 (Referendum to Overturn 2018 Law that Replaced Money Bail System with a System Based on Public Safety Risk): YES

San Francisco Ballot Measures

Measure A (Health & Homelessness, Parks & Streets Bond): YES

Measure B (Department of Sanitation and Streets, Sanitation and Streets Commission, and Public Works Commission): YES

Measure C (Removing Citizenship Requirements for Members of City Bodies): YES

Measure D (Sheriff Oversight): YES

Measure E (Police Staffing): YES

Measure G (Youth Voting in Local Elections): YES

Measure H (Neighborhood Commercial Districts and City Permitting (“Save our Small Businesses”): NO

Measure J (Parcel Tax for SF Unified School District): YES

Measure K (Affordable Housing Authorization): YES

Measure L (CEO tax): YES

Measure RR (Funds for CalTrain): YES

San Francisco School Board

Mark Sanchez

Jenny Lam

Kevine Boggess

Matt Alexander

BART Board

Bevan Dufty

City College Trustees

Alan Wong

Shanell Williams

Tom Temprano

Local 2 Election Endorsements: San Mateo County

October 3, 2020

For San Francisco endorsements, click here.

PRESIDENTIAL: Joe Biden & Kamala Harris

CONGRESS: Jackie Speier (14^th District) & Anna Eshoo (18^th District)

STATE SENATE

District 11: Jackie Fielder

District 13: Josh Becker

STATE ASSEMBLY

District 22: Kevin Mullen

District 24: Marc Berman